FLOW vs SPY
Global X US Cash Flow Kings 100 ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, FLOW or SPY?
Each has led over a different period.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. FLOW led over 1Y and the full window, SPY over 3Y. FLOW is less concentrated, with 23.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.8%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | FLOW | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $33M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.91% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 102 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +21.77%Best | +12.22% |
| 1Y Return | +27.59%Best | +16.97% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.14% | +21.16%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +13.00% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.3% | 12.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -21.6% | -18.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.2 years | $17,817Best | $17,798 |
| Top 10 Weight | 23.5%Best | 37.8% |
| Fund Family | Global X by mirae Asset | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 10, 2023 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 12, 2023 to Sep 17, 2026 (3.2 years).
FLOW vs SPY growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 3.2 years both funds cover.
FLOW vs SPY Performance
Global X US Cash Flow Kings 100 ETF (FLOW) is an ETF from Global X by mirae Asset and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year FLOW returned +27.59% while SPY returned +16.97%. Year to date, FLOW is up 21.77% versus a gain of 12.22% for SPY.
Over three years, FLOW compounded at +20.14% per year against +21.16% for SPY.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FLOW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.3% compared with 12.8% for SPY. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -21.6% for FLOW and -18.8% for SPY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.66. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FLOW charges 0.25% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $9 annually, a gap of $16 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FLOW currently yields 1.91% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
59.5% of FLOW's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 2.7% of SPY's money is in holdings FLOW also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
36 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in FLOW and 504 in SPY, against full books of 102 and 505.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 462 positions for SPY that do not appear in our book for FLOW (96.8% of the fund), and 60 for FLOW that do not appear in SPY (36.2%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FLOW | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CRMSalesforce Inc Crm Us Equity | 2.84% | 0.32% | 2.52% |
| WDAYWorkday, Inc., Class A | 2.59% | 0.06% | 2.53% |
| ADBEAdobe Systems | 2.44% | 0.18% | 2.26% |
| ACN:IEAccenture plc, Class A | 2.44% | 0.18% | 2.26% |
| INTUIntuit, Inc. | 2.15% | 0.15% | 2.00% |
| BMYBristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 2.06% | 0.21% | 1.85% |
| HPQHp Inc. | 2.21% | 0.04% | 2.17% |
| NEMNewmont Corp Common | 1.96% | 0.20% | 1.76% |
| EXPEExpedia Group Inc (consumer Discretionary) | 2.11% | 0.05% | 2.06% |
| VEEVVeeva Systems Inc | 2.08% | 0.06% | 2.02% |
59.5% of FLOW is already inside SPY.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, FLOW or SPY?
FLOW has an expense ratio of 0.25% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $16 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FLOW or SPY?
Over the past year FLOW returned +27.59% vs +16.97% for SPY, so FLOW leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FLOW or SPY?
FLOW has been the more volatile fund at 14.3% annualized versus 12.8% for SPY. Worst drawdown: FLOW -21.6% vs SPY -18.8%.
Should I hold both FLOW and SPY?
FLOW and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.66, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between FLOW and SPY?
59.5% of FLOW's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 2.7% of SPY's is in holdings FLOW also owns. They hold 36 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in FLOW and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, FLOW or SPY?
FLOW yields 1.91% while SPY yields 0.98%, so FLOW currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than FLOW?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. FLOW led over 1Y and the full window, SPY over 3Y. FLOW is less concentrated, with 23.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.